Slipper



Nov. 24, 1964 M. CUNNIFF 3,157,954

SLIPPER Filed July 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MARK L..CUNNH='F A TTORNEY Nov. 24, 1964 M. L. CUINNIFF 3,157,954

SLIPPER Filed July 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F; 5 MARK 25173??? A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 24, 1964 3,157954 SUPPER Mark L. Cunniif, Woodland St, Holiiston, Mass. Filed July 5, 1962, Ser. No. zazssa 3 Claims. (Qt. 36--2.5)

This invention relates to an article of footwear and, more particularly, to an improved lightweight, flexible slipper construction and method of manufacture thereof.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a unique, lightweight, flexible slipper construction which provides perfectly smooth and even contours all around and which is economical to produce.

It is a further principal object of the invention to provide a lightweight, flexible slipper construction having as an integral part thereof a means for simplifying application or removal thereof from ones foot.

A still further principal object of the invention is to provide a unique method of making such a slipper construction which substantially simplifies the lasting process and permits quick application of the innersole to the upper, eliminating the need for adjusting and re-adjusting the upper on the last in order that it may be properly located on the innersole.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a method by which the entire upper of the slipper automatically conforms to a last to which it is applied without the need for any securing means such as the usual tacks to hold it in lasting position while the inner and outersoles are applied thereto.

A still further object is the provision of a method wherein the heel construction of the article is constructed as a continuation of the innerand outersoles thereby providing a reinforced heel, and of the article produced thereby.

According to the present invention, a novel method has been provided which substantially simplifies and increases the speed of the lasting process. The method generally comprises providing a pair of symmetrical quarters which are first sewn together at the forward upper or toe portion only. Next, a narrow elastic braid or band is sewn under tension around substantially the entire lower periphery of the resultant upper on the inner side thereof,

extending also upwardly part way along the heel of the upper. A reinforcing binding is also preferably sewn in overlapping relation along the entire upper periphery of the upper although this forms no part of the present invention.

Then, a web comprised of a two-way stretch elastic somewhat narrower than the innersole to be applied is sewn in overlying relation to the above-mentioned elastic braid along each edge of the upper and extending from approximately the center of the upper rearwardly to the upper rear or heel edge thereof, thereby interconnecting the two sides of the upper along those portions.

Next, an innersole is placed on the last and extends from the toe completely around the heel and includes an extension or a tab which is to protrude above the upper edge of the heel in the finished product. This innersole is tacked to the last near the toe portion and in the tab only. An adesive is applied along the entirety of the innersole and the upper is slipped on the last.

Due to the application of the elastic band and the elastic web to the upper, the latter Will conform and cling to the last and needs only to be adjusted to the proper position.

Finally, further adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the elastic web and along the lower edge of the upper, and an outersole, conforming in configuration to the innersole including a tab, is applied to the upper, the two tabs being adhesively secured together to form one final unitary tab.

The elastic band and web greatly simplify the otherwise tedious lasting process. The extension of the inner and outersoles as described produces a very rigid heel construction as well as a tab which may be gripped between ones fingers to facilitate application of the product to the foot as well as a means upon which the opposite foot may be placed to push the slipper off the foot to which it has been applied.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention and the manner in which they are accomplished will become more readily apparent upon reference to the following detailed description of the invention and to the accompanying figures of drawing which illustrate a preferred and exemplary form of the invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of two quarters which have been sewn together at the toe portion to form the upper, and looking at the inner side thereof;

FIG. 2 is a similar view with the elastic band sewn in along the lower inner periphery of the upper, thereby constricting the latter to some extent;

FIG. 3 is a plan view looking from the top and into the inside of the upper, which has been partly broken away, and showing the elastic web in position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation as seen from the left of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a last with the innersole tacked thereto;

FIG. 6 shows the upper in position over the innersole and on the last;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a complete slipper with the outersole applied; and

FIG. 8 is a partial side View of a complete slipper illustrating the extent of the tab.

In FIG. 1 an upper is generally designated at 10 and cOmprises a first quarter 11 and a second quarter 12 which have been sewn together along the forward upper toe portion 13. The upper may be formed of any soft, flexible material, and may, for example, comprise corduroy in the case of a slipper. A re-inforcing binding 14 is preferably sewn in overlapping relation along the entire upper periphery. The upper further includes a heel portion H and a counter portion C as indicated in FIG. 6.

The next step in the fabrication comprises sewing in a narrow elastic band or braid 15 substantially along the entire lower periphery of the upper on the inner side thereof as shown in FIG. 1 The band is sewn under substantial tension around the curved heel and toe portions and under slight tension in the straightaway portions. As soon as this band is sewn in, the upper is caused to be constricted somewhat along that edge and assumes shape approximately as shown in FIG. 2.

A Web 16 comprised of a two way stretch fabric is then sewn in overlying relation with respect to the band 15 along each lower edge of the upper and extends from approximately the center of the upper as seen in FIG. 3 rearwardly to the upper rear or heel edge (FIG. 4). The web is somewhat narrower in the vertical portion of the heel than in the sole and results in closing in of the heel of the upper with the two quarters in spaced apart relation as indicated in FIG. 4.

An innersole 17 having an integral counter portion 18 and an extension or backstay 19 which is to protrude above the upper edge of the finished product is attached toa last 20 by means of a tack 21 near the toe and a tack 22 in the tab 19. See FIG. 5.

The usual cement adhesive is then applied to the entire visible portion of the innersole and the upper is then placed over the last (FIG. 6). The upper will automatically conform completely to the last leaving smooth contours throughout, free of any bulges or puckers due to the action of the elastic band and web. The upper need only be adjusted to its proper position on the last and once this has been done, no further pulling in of the edges is required since the elastic band and web will cause the periphery of the upper to assume and maintain the position shown in FIG. 6.

Finally, adhesive is applied to the visible portion of the web 16 as well as around the periphery of the upper and to outersole 23 and the latter which generally conforms to the innersole including an extension or backstay 24, is cemented in position.

The article is now substantially complete. A unitary tab, generally designated by arrow 25, is provided by the two adhesively secured backstays 19 and 24 and serves the two-told purpose of enabling the completed article to be easily applied to ones foot by being gripped between the fingers and pulled over the heel, and also enables the article to be quickly slipped off by providing a means against which the opposite foot may be pressed to urge it away from the foot.

An elastic retaining member 26 may optimally be applied as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to keep the finished product in position on ones foot.

While the band 15 has been described as extending substantially completely around the entire lower periphery of the upper, this being the preferred extent, it is to be understood that it will be effective to a large degree as long as is is applied to the areas of greatest curvature, that is, around the heel and toe portions.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details disclosed, but is intended to embrace all variations 4 and modifications falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. A slipper having an upper which has a counter, a heel and toe portions, said upper formed of two quarters of soft material, said quarters being seamed together in a lengthiwse direction at said toe portion and forming.

an inner and outer periphery, an elastic band sewn to the inner part of the lower periphery of at least the toe portion of said upper, an elastic web connecting both quarters and encompassing said heel and counter portions, whereby the quarters are spaced laterally for a substantial distance below their top margins at the rear of the slipper, and an innersole and an outersole extending from the toe portion completely around said counter and heel portions.

2. The slipper of claim 1 wherein said elastic band extends substantially completely around the entire extremity of said lower periphery including the toe, heel and counter portions,

3. The slipper of claim 2 wherein said innersole and said outersole have an extension beyond said counter portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,578,681 12/51 Everston 36-2.5 2,603,890 7/52 Everston 36-2.5 2,607,131 8/52 Everston 36-25 3,002,296 10/61 Goldberg 362.5 3,032,898 5/62 Servin 36-9 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

RUSSELL C. MADER, FRANK J. COHEN, Examiners. 

1. A SLIPPER HAVING AN UPPER WHICH HAS A COUNTER, A HEEL AND TOE PORTIONS, SAID UPPER FORMED OF TWO QUARTERS OF SOFT MATERIAL, SAID QUARTERS BEING SEAMED TOGETHER IN A LENGTHWISE DIRECTION AT SAID TOE PORTION AND FORMING AN INNER AND OUTER PERIPHERY, AN ELASTIC BAND SEWN TO THE INNER PART OF THE LOWER PERIPHERY OF AT LEAST THE TOE PORTION OF SAID UPPER, AN ELASTIC WEB CONNECTING BOTH QUARTERS AND ENCOMPASSING SAID HEEL AND COUNTER PORTIONS, WHEREBY THE QUARTERS ARE SPACED LATERALLY FOR A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BELOW THEIR TOP MARGINS AT THE REAR OF THE SLIPPER, AND AN INNERSOLE AND AN OUTERSOLE EXTENDING FROM THE TOE PORTION COMPLETELY AROUND SAID COUNTER AND HEEL PORTIONS. 